Rejected Mate's Vengeance

Recalling that, I yanked my hand back and took two steps away.

"I’ve already mated with someone from my childhood. I have food and security now, so there’s no need for your concern," I said coldly.

At that, Taylor’s expression shifted, a flash of venom in her eyes, but she quickly masked it with a sugary smile. "Julie, if you don’t want to come back, that’s fine, but don’t make up stories! What Alpha would willingly raise another’s pup?"

I let out a bitter laugh and turned to Robert. "Isn’t that strange, Taylor? Robert’s willingly raising your pup, isn’t he? Why is it impossible when it comes to me?"

The air froze. Taylor’s smile faltered, her face stiffening.

Robert’s face darkened, his Alpha tone sharp with irritation. "What do you want from me? That’s my brother’s pup—how can you compare that to some outsider’s? It’s been five years, Julie, and you’ve only grown more bitter!"

A sharp pain pierced my chest, and my eyes stung.

Of course. He couldn’t tolerate anyone saying a word against Taylor. Even the mention of his brother’s pup was enough to make him drop everything and care for them.

Meanwhile, his own pup with me was nothing more than an afterthought.

Robert seemed to notice my pale face and hesitated, reaching out as if to embrace me. "Are you still angry with me? It’s my fault. I’ve made you suffer all these years. When we return to the pack, I’ll make it up to you."

Before he could finish, a child’s voice, laced with resentment, cut through the tension. "Dad! Are you trying to find me a new Luna?"

I turned to see Evan, Taylor’s son, hopping down from the car. He was dressed in fine clothes, his face round and healthy—a far cry from the thin, sickly pup I remembered from five years ago.

But what caught my attention was the gleaming silver pendant around his neck. My heart clenched.

Five years ago, when my pup was born, I had begged Robert to get a similar pendant. But he had dismissed me with a wave. "Pups don’t need expensive things. Let them grow up humble."

Now, that very pendant hung around Evan’s neck. Whether it was Taylor’s idea or Robert’s change of heart, the irony was unbearable.

Robert’s hand froze midair, his face flushing with embarrassment.

Taylor, quick to recover, stepped forward, her eyes welling up with fake tears. "Julie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for Evan to—"

She glanced at Robert, her expression full of feigned guilt, but I caught the glint of triumph in her eyes.

Before I could respond, Robert cut in, his Alpha tone rising with frustration. "Enough! I promised to take care of you and Evan, and I’ll keep my word. I won’t let him suffer even a little!"

He paused, his cold gaze sweeping over me. "As for you, your pup will never call me Dad. I won’t let anyone misunderstand."

Of course. He cared so much about his brother’s pup that he’d rather let his own pup grow up without a father than let Taylor and Evan feel slighted.

I tilted my head back and laughed, the sound sharp and cutting in the tense silence. "Don’t worry, Robert. My pup won’t call you Dad. He already has an Alpha!"

At that, Robert lunged forward, his fingers digging into my arm through my sleeve. "Julie, how dare you let my pup call someone else Alpha!"